Case against Trinity administrators dismissed

MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The case against four Midland Trinity school administrators accused of failing to report alleged abuse with the intent to cover up has been dismissed after prosecutors called into question the validity of the testimony provided by the lead investigator in the case.

According to an affidavit obtained last year, Dean of Students Todd Freese, Director of Admissions Adrianne Clifton, Head of Schools Shelby Hammer, and Head of Middle School Chrystal Meyers were all arrested after a former student made an outcry of abuse on February 22, 2022, during an interview at Midland Children’s Advocacy Center. The investigator in that case, Detective Jennie Alonzo, testified before a judge to secure search warrants after listening in on the child's interview. 

In her testimony Tuesday, Alonzo said she was asked to secure those warrants without any further investigation. Tuesday night, Assistant District Attorney Timothy Flathers sent an email to the defendant's counsel stating the DA's office was questioning the validity of Alonzo's testimony. 

Court Wednesday was delayed by several hours and reconvened at 12:30 p.m., that's when prosecutors said all charges against the accused wold be dismissed.